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Lawrence Township Awarded $425,000 Grant for Solar Project
Funds to support infrastructure, home upgrades, and parks in community hosting major renewable energy development.
Published on Feb. 5, 2026
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Lawrence Township in Van Buren County, Michigan has been awarded a $425,000 state grant to support infrastructure improvements, home energy upgrades for residents, and parks and recreation projects related to the new 85-megawatt Murch Solar project being developed by Heelstone Renewable Energy and associated with Amazon.
Why it matters
The grant provides incentives for local governments to permit and host large-scale renewable energy projects, which can bring economic benefits but also require community investment. Lawrence Township is leveraging the Murch Solar project to reinvest in local infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and quality of life for residents.
The details
The $425,000 grant funding will be allocated across three areas: approximately $150,000 for the township's road budget, $200,000 for home energy upgrades for residents, and $75,000 for parks and recreation improvements, specifically at the Tiger Den. The Murch Solar project is an 85-megawatt utility-scale solar farm now under construction, expected to begin operations in February 2027.
- The Murch Solar project is expected to begin operations in February 2027.
The players
Lawrence Township
A township in Van Buren County, Michigan that is hosting the Murch Solar project and receiving a $425,000 state grant to support related infrastructure and community improvements.
Heelstone Renewable Energy
The company developing the 85-megawatt Murch Solar project in Lawrence Township, Michigan.
Amazon
The company associated with the Murch Solar project being developed in Lawrence Township.
Matthew Sanborn
The permit clerk and housing coordinator for Lawrence Township.
What they’re saying
“The Murch project is 'a great opportunity for Lawrence to reinvest in itself.'”
— Matthew Sanborn, Permit Clerk and Housing Coordinator, Lawrence Township (wsjm.com)
What’s next
The Murch Solar project is expected to begin operations in February 2027 after completing construction.
The takeaway
By hosting a major renewable energy project, Lawrence Township is able to leverage state grant funding to make important investments in local infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community amenities - demonstrating how clean energy development can create opportunities for broader community reinvestment.
